Clinton acknowledges Gilani`s efforts to normalise ties

Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, July 19 (PTI) US Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton has acknowledged Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza
Gilani's "personal role in efforts to normalise relations with
India" and hoped these moves would bear fruit in the near
future.
Clinton made the remarks during a meeting with Gilani
late on Sunday evening, said a statement issued by the Prime
Minister's office.
Gilani said Pakistan wants "good neighbourly relations
with India" and would like both sides to "address all issues
and disputes between them peacefully".
The comments of the two leaders came days after the
Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan failed to make headway
in talks held in Islamabad on July 15.
The two Foreign Ministers have engaged in a war of
words since the talks ended in deadlock.
During his interaction with Clinton, Gilani said the
discussions in different sectors as part of the Pakistan-US
Strategic Dialogue had prepared the grounds for taking the
bilateral relationship beyond the war on terror and American
aid provided under the Kerry-Lugar Act.
Gilani said that he was hopeful the fifth round of the
Strategic Dialogue, set to co-chaired by Clinton and Foreign
Minister S M Qureshi will lead to greater US assistance and
cooperation for building water reservoirs, enhancing power
generation capacity and addressing the root causes of
terrorism like illiteracy, poverty and under-development.
The premier reiterated his invitation to US President
Barack Obama to visit Pakistan in the near future, saying such
a visit will boost democratic forces in the country,
strengthen bilateral relations and create a positive image of
the US among the Pakistani people.
Public diplomacy is vital for removing misperceptions
on both sides and building higher trust between the two sides,
he said.
Gilani also urged the US to enhance assistance for
building the capacity of Pakistan's law enforcement agencies
and step up intelligence-sharing for the campaign to root out
terrorism.
Referring to the situation in Afghanistan, Gilani said
his government attaches great importance to its relations with
the neighbouring country and "considers peace and stability in
Afghanistan contingent upon a peaceful and secured Pakistan".
Clinton said she saluted the Pakistan government's
resolve to fight terrorism and that the US administration is
"fully appreciative of the extraordinary sacrifices made by
Pakistan in its war". PTI